Connectimals

ABSTRACT

A line of plush and collectible animals that have heads, arms, legs, tails, ears and other accessories that connect to their bodies with magnets. The pieces can be interchanged with others to make unique creatures with poseable parts. Children will want to spend hours playing with the creatures they have created.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of plush toy devices and more specifically relates to a line of plush and collectible animals that have heads, arms, legs, tails, ears and other accessories that connect to their bodies with magnets. The pieces can be interchanged with others to make unique creatures with poseable parts. Children will want to spend hours playing with the creatures they have created.

2. Description of the Related Art

Parents and teachers are always searching for new ways to stimulate children's imaginations. Play is an essential and special part of childhood. It allows children at all ages to experiment with the world around them and to engage in the mental and emotional world inside them. Construction toys, of all toy categories, offer the most open-end opportunities for children to design and create imaginative play. Using abstract, modular forms, construction toys present a ‘what if’ question and allow children to construct and continually modify their own representations. Construction toys provide the opportunity for imaginative play and an important creative and learning experience for boys and girls, with benefits that can last a lifetime.

Various attempts have been made to solve problems found in plush toy devices art. Among these are found in: U.S. Pub. No. 2009/0130950 to Martin Deutschman; U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,271 to Sandra L. Butt; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,520,793 to Pillai et al. This prior art is representative of plush toy devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known art, the present invention provides a novel Connectimals. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a line of plush and collectible animals that have heads, arms, legs, tails, ears and other accessories that connect to their bodies with magnets. The pieces can be interchanged with others to make unique creatures with poseable parts. Children will want to spend hours playing with the creatures they have created. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, Connectimals, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a Connectimals in a detached configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view illustrating a Connectimals in an attached configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view illustrating a Connectimals in a detached configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view illustrating a Connectimals in an attached configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view illustrating a Connectimals in a detached configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view illustrating a Connectimals in an attached configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view illustrating a Connectimals in an attached configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view illustrating a Connectimals in an attached configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view illustrating a Connectimals in an attached configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a plush toy device and more particularly to a Connectimals.

Generally speaking, Connectimals may be a unique toy with interchangeable components and attachable toy accessories. The present invention maybe capable of converting into a plurality of different looking animals and creatures. The limbs and head of the present invention may realeasably attach to a main torso in a manner in which a child may be able to remove and replace the realeasably attach components. The present invention may be useful to stimulate creative play for children and users of all ages.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIG. 1, a primary embodiment of the present invention showing a toy apparatus 100. The toy apparatus 100 may comprise a main body member 104, a head member 108, two arm members 112, and two leg members 116. The detached configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, shows the head member 108, two arm members 112, and two leg members 116 removed from the main body member 104.

The two arm members 112 and two leg members 116 may comprise three curved protrusions creating small finger/toe appendages as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, in other embodiments of the present invention the two arm members 112 and two leg members 116 may comprise a semispherical end portion, as further shown in FIGS. 5-7. The two arm members 112 and two leg members 116 may each comprise a magnet 120 disposed at an end portion thereof. The three curved protrusions and semispherical end portion may be disposed on opposing sides of the two arm members 112 and two leg members 116 relative to a magnet 120.

The two arm members 112 and two leg members 116 may also comprise attachment members (not shown) useful for attaching toy accessories. The attachment members may comprise 1 and ¼-inch magnets 120 useful for releasbly attaching small toy accessories. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other attachment arrangements such as, for example, hook and loop fastener systems, snaps, buttons, clasps, metal discs, etc., may be suitably used instead of magnets.

The toy accessories may include items such as balls, sticks, mice, phones, and umbrellas. A wide variety of other items, such hearts for Valentine's Day, Christmas presents, Easter eggs, flowers, fireworks, note cards, messages, pens, and pencils may also be available as toy accessories. Other toy accessories such as mittens/gloves, and shoes may attach to the two arm members 112 and two leg members 116.

In the primary embodiment of the present invention the head member 108 of the toy apparatus 100 may comprise two eye members, a nose member, a mouth member, and a single magnet 120. The magnet 120 may be disposed at a bottom portion of the head member 108 and may be useful for releasably connecting to a magnet 120 of the main body member 104.

In a secondary embodiment of the present invention, the head member 108 includes six magnets 120 thereon. In a secondary embodiment of the present invention the head member 108 may comprise two eye members and a nose member each having a magnet 120 connected thereto. A first magnet 120 of the head member 108 may be adapted to connect with the magnet 120 on a top portion of the main body member 104.

A second and third magnet 120 may be connected to opposite sides of the head member 108 and adapted to releasably connect with a respective magnet 120 of the two ear members. A fourth and fifth magnet 120 are connected to spaced front portions of the head member 108 and may be adapted to releasably connect with a respective magnet 120 of the two eye members. A sixth magnet is connected to a front portion of the head member 108 below the spaced eye portions and adapted to releasably connect with a magnet 120 on the nose member.

In other embodiments of the present invention the head member 108 may comprise three magnets 120, as further shown and described in FIGS. 3-7.

The head member 108 of the toy apparatus 100 may also comprise attachment members (not shown) useful for attaching toy accessories, such as hats, eyeglasses, masks, and food. The toy food accessories may include but are not limited to carrots, bones, fish, nuts, corn, cheese, steak, and hotdogs. The attachment members may comprise ¼-inch magnets useful for releasbly attaching small toy accessories.

The main body member 104 of the toy apparatus 100 may comprise a spherical form having five magnets 120 attached thereto. A first magnet 120 may connect to a top portion of the main body member 104, and is adapted to releasably connect with a magnet 120 of the head member 108. A second and third magnet of the main body member 104 may connect to opposite side portions of the main body member 104. The second and third magnet may be adapted to releasably connect with a magnet 120 of each of the two arm members 112. A fourth and fifth magnet 120 of the main body member 104 may be connected to opposite side portions of the main body member 104 below the second and third magnet of the main body member 104. The fourth and fifth magnet 120 may be adapted to releasably connect with a magnet 120 of each of the two leg members 116.

In secondary embodiments of the present invention, the main body member 104 of the toy apparatus 100 may comprise a sixth magnet 120 (not shown). The sixth magnet 120 may be disposed on a back portion of the main body member 104 and may be useful for attaching toy accessories such as bird wings, backpacks, and other toy accessories.

Toy accessories may be provided for the main body member 104 of the toy apparatus 100. The toy accessories may include clothing apparel that may be adorn upon the main body member 104. The arm clothing apparel may include Halloween costumes, and holiday-themed clothing. The two arm members 112 and two leg members 116 may be detached from the main body member 104 prior to placing clothing apparel onto the main body member 104.

The main body member 104, head member 108, two arm members 112, and two leg members 116 may be covered with a fabric material adapted to represent fur or skin of an animal. The fur or skin in combination with the other features of the present invention may create a plush toy in the form of a frog, a turtle, a rabbit, a pig, a bear or a rodent. The spherical form of the main body member 104 may be manufactured of dimensions approximately four inches in diameter.

The magnets 120 of the main body member 104 may comprise opposite magnetic polarity in comparison to the magnets 120 of the head member 108, the two arm members 112, and the two leg members 116. In this manner the magnets 120 may be useful for relasably attaching the head member 108, the two arm members 112, and the two leg members to the main body member 104. The magnets 120 of the main body member 104, head member 108, the two arm members 112, and the two leg members 116 may be embedded into the fabric material, such that they may not be removed. In this manner the magnets 120 may not pose a choking hazard to a child.

The inventor imagines future embodiments having components to create mascots for favorite NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA and college teams. Birds with detachable wings, tails, and feet, and insects like lady bugs, butterflies, house flies, beetles, and bees may also be created in future embodiments. The limbs of future embodiments may be semi rigid, so the creatures may stand on all four legs as well as sit without assistance of a user.

The main body member 104, the head member 108, the two arm members 112, and the two leg members 116 may be formed having a hollow interior that is filled with a stuffing material (not shown). The stuffing material may consist of cotton and nylon. The stuffing material may be highly pliable and deformable in order to create a plush toy in which a child may squeeze and safely play with. Alternatively, the main body member 104, the head member 108, the two arm members 112, and the two leg members 116 may be formed of plastic materials.

Referring now to FIG. 2., showing a secondary embodiment of the toy apparatus 100. An attached configuration shows the head member 108, two arm members 112, and two leg members 116 attached to the main body member 104 via magnets 120. The main body member 104 with the head member 108, two arm members 112, and two leg members 116 attached thereto may resemble a frog.

Referring now to FIG. 3., showing a secondary embodiment of the toy apparatus 100. A detached configuration shows the head member 108, two arm members 112, and two leg members 116 removed from the main body member 104. The secondary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, comprises two ear members each having a magnet 120 connected thereto.

The head member 108 may comprise three magnets 120 thereon, such that the first magnet 120 is adapted to connect with the magnet 120 on the top portion of the main body member 104. A second and third magnet 120 are connected to opposite sides of the head member 108 and may be adapted to releasably connect with a respective magnet 120 of the two ear members. The two ear members may be covered with a fabric material adapted to represent fur or skin of an animal.

Referring now to FIG. 4. showing a secondary embodiment of the toy apparatus 100. An attached configuration shows the head member 108, two arm members 112, two leg members 116, and two ears attached to the main body member 104 via magnets 120. The main body member 104 with the head member 108, two arm members 112, two leg members 116, and two ears attached thereto may resemble a rabbit.

Referring now to FIG. 5., showing a secondary embodiment of the toy apparatus 100. A detached configuration shows the head member 108, two arm members 112, and two leg members 116 removed from the main body member 104. The secondary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, comprises two ear members each having a magnet 120 connected thereto.

Referring now to FIG. 6., showing a secondary embodiment of the toy apparatus 100. An attached configuration shows the head member 108, two arm members 112, and two leg members 116 attached to the main body member 104 via magnets 120. The main body member 104 with the head member 108, two arm members 112, two leg members 116, and two ears attached thereto may resemble a pig.

The secondary embodiment of FIG. 6 may comprise a tail member (not shown). The tail member may include a magnet 120 on a distal end thereof. The main body member 104 further comprises a sixth magnet 120 connected on a back portion thereof. The magnet 120 may be disposed in between the magnets 120 for the two leg members 116 such that the tail member may be adapted to releasably connect to the sixth magnet 120 on the main body member 104. The tail member may be covered with a fabric material adapted to represent fur or skin of an animal.

Referring now to FIG. 7., shows a secondary embodiment of the toy apparatus 100. An attached configuration of this embodiment shows the head member 108, two arm members 112, two leg members 116, and two ears attached to the main body member 104 via magnets 120.

Referring now to FIG. 8., shows a secondary embodiment of the toy apparatus 100. An attached configuration of this embodiment shows the head member 108, two arm members 112, and two leg members 116 attached to the main body member 104 via magnets 120.

Referring now to FIG. 9., shows a secondary embodiment of the toy apparatus 100. An attached configuration of this embodiment shows the head member 108, two arm members 112, two leg members 116, and two ears attached to the main body member 104 via magnets 120.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claim:
 1. An improved toy apparatus for creating toy animals, comprising: a main body member including: a plurality of magnets attached thereto; a head member including: at least one magnet attached thereto; at least one arm member including: at least one magnet attached thereto; at least one leg member including: at least one magnet attached thereto; wherein said head member, said at least one arm member, and said at least one arm member are releasably connected to said main body member via said magnets to form a toy animal.
 2. The improved toy apparatus of claim 1, wherein there are two arm members and two leg members.
 3. The improved toy apparatus of claim 2, wherein there are five magnets on said main body member, such that one magnet is connected to a top portion thereof and is adapted to releasably connect with said at least one magnet of said head member, two magnets are connected to opposite side portions thereof and are adapted to releasably connect with said at least one magnet of each of said two arm members, and two magnets are connected to opposite side portions thereof below said two magnets for said two arm members and are adapted to releasably connect with said at least one magnet of each of said two leg members.
 4. The improved toy apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a tail member including a magnet on a distal end thereof; and wherein said main body member further comprises a sixth magnet connected on a back portion thereof in between said magnets for said two leg members, such that said tail member is adapted to releasably connect to said sixth magnet on said main body member.
 5. The improved toy apparatus of claim 1, further comprising two ear members each having a magnet connected thereto; and wherein said head member includes three magnets thereon, such that one magnet is adapted to connect with said magnet on said top portion of said main body, and two magnets are connected to opposite sides thereof and adapted to releasably connect with a respective magnet of said two ear members.
 6. The improved toy apparatus of claim 1, wherein said main body, said head member, said arms, and said legs are covered with a fabric material adapted to represent fur of an animal.
 7. The improved toy apparatus of claim 4, wherein said main body, said head member, said arm members, said legs members, and said tail are covered with a fabric material adapted to represent fur of an animal.
 8. The improved toy apparatus of claim 5, wherein said main body, said head member, said arm members, said leg members, and said ear members are covered with a fabric material adapted to represent fur of an animal.
 9. The improved toy apparatus of claim 5, further comprising two eye members and a nose member each having a magnet connected thereto; and wherein said head member includes six magnets thereon, such that one magnet is adapted to connect with said magnet on said top portion of said main body member, two magnets are connected to opposite sides thereof and adapted to releasably connect with a respective magnet of said two ear members, two magnets are connected to spaced front portions thereof and adapted to releasably connect with a respective magnet of said two eye members, and one magnet is connected to a front portion thereof below said spaced eye portions and adapted to releasably connect with said magnet on said nose member.
 10. The improved toy apparatus of claim 1, wherein said main body, said head member, said arm members, and said leg members are formed from a plastic material.
 11. The improved toy apparatus of claim 4, wherein said main body, said head member, said arm members, said leg members, and said tail member are formed in the shape of an animal chosen from a group of animals consisting of a frog, a turtle, a rabbit, a pig, a bear, and a rodent.
 12. The improved toy apparatus of claim 1, wherein said main body, said head member, said arm members, and said leg members are formed having a hollow interior that is filled with a stuffing material.
 13. The improved toy apparatus of claim 1, wherein said stuffing material is chosen from a group of stuffing materials consisting of cotton and nylon.
 14. The improved toy apparatus of claim 1, wherein said main body, said head member, said arm members, and said leg members are interchangeable such that each magnet thereof is capable of attaching to another magnet of said main body. 